Tropical Storm Gamma brought wind and rain to the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gamma was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 87.6°W which put it about 15 miles (25 km) north-northwest of Tulum, Mexico. Gamma was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.
A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Allen to Cancun, Mexico including Cozumel. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta Herrero to Punta Allen and from Cancun to Dzilam, Mexico. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta Herrero to Puerto Costa Maya and from Dzilam to Progreso, Mexico.
The center of Tropical Storm Gamma made landfall on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula near Tulum around midday on Saturday. Gamma strengthened quickly over the warm water in the Northwest Caribbean Sea in the hours prior to landfall. An eye was beginning to form at the center of Tropical Storm Gamma at the time of landfall. A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the developing eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Gamma. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.
Tropical Storm Gamma will weaken while the center of circulation moves over land. When Gamma emerges over the southern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, it will move into an environment favorable for intensification. Gamma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C. It will be under the western side of an upper level ridge. The ridge will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Gamma. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but they are not likely to be strong enough to keep Gamma from strengthening when it gets back over water.
Tropical Storm Gamma will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean. The high will steer Gamma toward the north-northwest during next 24 hours. A large, cool high pressure system over the eastern U.S. will block the northward movement of Tropical Storm Gamma when it reaches the southern Gulf of Mexico. That high pressure system will steer Gamma slowly toward the west during the earl part of next week.
On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Gamma will move across northern Quintana Roo and the state of Yucatan. Gamma will cause gusty winds along the eastern and northern coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula. Tropical Storm Gamma will drop heavy rain over parts of Quintana Roo and Yucatan. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.